Biophysics Training Grant

The plasma membranes are made up of proteins that form pores and channels, cholesterol to provide membrane stability and carbohydrate molecules for cell recognition. The most abundant component found in the plasma membrane is the phospholipid, which is bilayer. The plasma membrane is amphipathic

Phospholipids make up most of the cell membrane, in a phospholipid bilayer. Phospholipid molecules form two layers, with the hydrophilic (water loving) head facing the extracellular fluid and the cytosol (intracellular) fluid, and the hydrophobic (not water loving) tails facing one another. The cell membrane is constructed in such a way that it is semipermeable, and allows oxygen, CO2 and lipid soluble molecules through easily, while other molecules like glucose, amino acids, water, and ions cannot pass through quite as easily. That is the meaning behind the chant “some things can pass, others cannot!”.

The lipids found in cell membranes belong to a class known as triglycerides, so called because they have one molecule of glycerol chemically linked to three molecules of fatty acids. The majority belong to one subgroup of triglycerides known as phospholipids. The cell membrane is made up of a phospholipid bilayer. The hydrophobic tails of the detergent molecules are taken up by this bilayer.

Introduction: The biological membranes are composed of phospholipid bilayers, each phospholipid with hydrophilic heads and hydrophobic tails, and proteins. This arrangement of the proteins and lipids produces a selectively permeable membrane. Many kinds of molecules surround or are contained within

(a.) Lipids are the foundation of membranes. They are carbon-containing compounds that are found in organisms and are largely nonpolar and hydrophobic.

Describe the conformation of the phospholipid bilayer of the plasma membrane. What abundant fluid leads to his conformation? Because the phospholipids heads are

The lipids found in the membrane are known as phospholipids. Phospholipids are fat derivatives in which one fatty acid has been replaced by a phosphate group and one of several nitrogen-containing molecules. The phospholipids’ structure is such that it appears to have a ‘head’ attached to a ‘tail’. The head section of the lipid is made of a glycerol group which is then attached to an ionised

The structure of the phospholipid bilayer is a 2-layer arrangement. Basically, the phospholipid bilayer has 2 ends. One end is hydrophilic (attracted to water); therefore, the opposite end is hydrophobic and repels water. The hydrophilic ends face outwards and the hydrophobic ends face inwards. This experiment enables researchers to investigate how the cell membrane selectively chooses what cells to enter the cell through osmosis and diffusion. Within osmosis, it’s a process of what substance passes and exits the semipermeable membrane into a higher concentration to equal the outside and the inside. Unlike osmosis, diffusion is the movement of molecules transporting from a high concentration to

The Integrated Life Sciences Honors program (ILS) is a distinguished two-year living-learning program for students with exceptional academic talents that focuses on preparing students in all aspects of biological research and biomedicine. ILS offers accelerated and advanced education in the life sciences while also emphasizing nationally recognized innovations to the training. Participating in ILS has allowed me to live and work closely with many intelligent and incredible peers, each bringing a different perspective. Furthermore, the unique approach and exclusive courses offered by ILS have helped me to develop a more holistic understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of the

Membrane fluidity is important for the normal functioning of a cell as it ensures free rotation and movement of proteins and lipids within the bilayers, certain limits must be maintained for correct functioning.

Introduction: Cell membranes contain many different types of molecules which have different roles in the overall structure of the membrane. Phospholipids form a bilayer, which is the basic structure of the membrane. Their non-polar tails form a barrier to most water soluble substances. Membrane proteins serves as channels for transport of metabolites, some act as enzymes or carriers, while some are receptors. Lastly carbohydrate molecules of the membrane are relatively short-chain polysaccharides, which has multiple functions, for example, cell-cell recognition and acting as receptor sites for chemical signals.

Lipids are nonpolar hydrocarbons used as energy stores, structural materials, and signaling molecules. They consist of fats (1-3 fatty acids attached to a glycerol unit), phospholipids (glycerol backbone, two fatty acid tails, a hydrophilic head that contains a phosphate group and a polar group, and a hydrophobic tail), sterols (lipids with no fatty acids, have a backbone of four fused-together carbon rings), and waxes (long chain fatty acids taightly packed and linked to long-chain alcohols or carbon

First, we discovered that we should start with low power objective to observe. To focus the image, use the coarse adjustment knob to adjust it. When looking at high power objectives, the fine adjustment knob can be used. Also we discovered that when you move the slide towards you, it appears to move away. When observing the letter “e”, we discovered that the images observed under the light are inverted and reversed. Although we could not easily tell with the feather, threads, and potato, it became noticeable with the letter “e”. The “e” was placed like “e”, however when looked into the eyepiece, the “e” was upside down. This shows that the microscopes works in an inverted way. We also discovered that to adjust the amount of light entering the microscope, we could use the iris lever to adjust the diaphragm. For example, the white thread required little light to see the cotton fibers, compared to the feather or letter “e”. Therefore, we learned that by altering the diaphragm, we can fix many of the problems associated with the observations. Lastly, we discovered that only one depth can be seen clearly at a time under high power. When working with the crossed strands of thread, we had to turn the fine wheel adjustment back and forth while looking through the microscope to focus one strand. All in all, the lab supported the purpose. We were able to identify,function the parts of a light microscope, and prepare a wet mount(of a feather, letter “e”, black and white thread, and a potato). Furthermore, we located objects using high and low power objectives, adjusted the diaphragm to attain correct lighting, and used stains for an easier and more detailed

There are many patterns that can be observed throughout our environment. In this experiment, the temperatures of organisms in a biophysical environment were analyzed to see if a pattern could be recognized that was related to the behavior of an ectotherm. An ectotherm is an organism that relies on the environment to regulate its body temperature. Organisms such as Pseudemys (turtles) and Lacertilia (lizards) are examples or ectotherms. After arriving at Maxcy Gregg Park and analyzing the temperatures of four microhabitats within two habitats with infrared thermometers, the temperatures were compared between the microhabitats. Then, one habitat was chosen to analyze the temperatures between

The erythrocyte cell membrane comprises a typical lipid bilayer, similar to what can be found in virtually all human cells. Simply put, this lipid bilayer is composed of cholesterol andphospholipids in equal proportions by weight. The lipid composition is important as it defines many physical properties such as membrane permeability and fluidity. Additionally, the activity of many membrane proteins is regulated by interactions with lipids in the bilayer.